Nexus 4, Optimus G do wonders for LG’s fourth quarter revenues

TVs are also good business for LG right now.

LG announced both its fourth quarter and annual revenues for the 2012 financial year ahead of its earnings call slated for later this evening. The Korea-based electronics company posted consolidated revenues of $45.22 billion and a net profit of $80.75 million for 2012. While LG's appliance and air conditioning divisions were stable, its smartphone and television sales flourished during the quarter. However, the company suffered a 6 percent revenue decrease from the previous year because of increased operating costs.

LG reported record sales in flat-panel TVs, coming in at $5.91 billion with over 9.3 million units sold in the fourth quarter. Strong revenues stemmed from LG's 3D and Smart TVs lineup, though profit could have been stronger had it not been for lower-than-average television prices. LG states it will continue to aggressively market 3D and Smart TVs in the coming year, especially as it ushers in its premium television lineup with Ultra HD TVs and OLED TVs.

In its mobile division, LG reported 23 percent growth in smartphone shipments, which it attributed to the launch of the Nexus 4 and Optimus G smartphones. LG also mentioned in its official press release that the Vu:2 was a tremendous seller internationally in the fourth quarter and that it plans to release a follow-up to the Optimus G (a leak had all but confirmed this for the Japanese market). Overall, LG made most of its profits in this sector from smartphone sales, and its fourth quarter revenues in the mobile sector were its highest of 2012.

"In its mobile division, LG reported 23 percent growth in smartphone shipments, which it attributed to launch of the Nexus 4 and Optimus G smartphones."

Stop to stupidly report this sort of PR crap. 23% from what? And why speak about shipments and not real sales? Right there, all this LG PR crap is just pointless and meaningless. Either LG gives us real numbers for sales, either LG should just shut up.

Tired of those companies throwing at us some percentage increase or increase factors without really giving the damn real sales numbers. Amazon does that, Google does that, Microsoft does that, Samsung does that. And then it gets just reported as it is by tech medias without any sort of critical discussion. It's just very sad that it now also happens at Arstechnica, this site also went to garbage quality reporting.... Sorry I say it frankly here.

"In its mobile division, LG reported 23 percent growth in smartphone shipments, which it attributed to launch of the Nexus 4 and Optimus G smartphones."

Stop to stupidly report this sort of PR crap. 23% from what? And why speak about shipments and not real sales? Right there, all this LG PR crap is just pointless and meaningless. Either LG gives us real numbers for sales, either LG should just shut up.

Tired of those companies throwing at us some percentage increase or increase factors without really giving the damn real sales numbers. Amazon does that, Google does that, Microsoft does that, Samsung does that. And then it gets just reported as it is by tech medias without any sort of critical discussion. It's just very sad that it now also happens at Arstechnica, this site also went to garbage quality reporting.... Sorry I say it frankly here.

"Smartphone shipments grew 23 percent compared to the previous quarter, increasing to 8.6 million devices from the 7 million in the third quarter."

Its in the press release. Generally percentage increase/decrease is against previous quarter, or previous years quarter. I'm not sure what the big deal is here about it. They shipped more phones this quarter then last quarter.

I bought one LG Android phone that was top of the line when I bought it and it has been nothing but flaky in the time I've had it. I've heard many similar reports from people with other Android phones from LG. I will never buy an LG phone again, ever. Not sure what I expected from a company that used to make cheap OEM and gray market DVD players before they decided they wanted to make more upscale (read: profitable) stuff and changed their name from Goldstar.

"In its mobile division, LG reported 23 percent growth in smartphone shipments, which it attributed to launch of the Nexus 4 and Optimus G smartphones."

Stop to stupidly report this sort of PR crap. 23% from what? And why speak about shipments and not real sales? Right there, all this LG PR crap is just pointless and meaningless. Either LG gives us real numbers for sales, either LG should just shut up.

Tired of those companies throwing at us some percentage increase or increase factors without really giving the damn real sales numbers. Amazon does that, Google does that, Microsoft does that, Samsung does that. And then it gets just reported as it is by tech medias without any sort of critical discussion. It's just very sad that it now also happens at Arstechnica, this site also went to garbage quality reporting.... Sorry I say it frankly here.

Never heard about Google's daily Android activation stats?

And do note that you comment on ARSTECHNICA news, not original PR release......... Info can be easily lost along the lines. Its news reporting site, not enterprise performance analytic one.

Stop to stupidly report this sort of PR crap. 23% from what? And why speak about shipments and not real sales? Right there, all this LG PR crap is just pointless and meaningless. Either LG gives us real numbers for sales, either LG should just shut up.

Sorry, but what's wrong with you? 23% growth should be simple enough to understand. As for shipped product, well, that's really all that LG cares about. Once they leave the warehouse, they could end up on the dark side of the moon for all they care. Retailers buy and then re-sell them. Once LG ships them, they are done with them. Since this is an article about LGs profits, not the market share of it's products, that's all you need to know.

"In its mobile division, LG reported 23 percent growth in smartphone shipments, which it attributed to launch of the Nexus 4 and Optimus G smartphones."

Stop to stupidly report this sort of PR crap. 23% from what? And why speak about shipments and not real sales? Right there, all this LG PR crap is just pointless and meaningless. Either LG gives us real numbers for sales, either LG should just shut up.

Tired of those companies throwing at us some percentage increase or increase factors without really giving the damn real sales numbers. Amazon does that, Google does that, Microsoft does that, Samsung does that. And then it gets just reported as it is by tech medias without any sort of critical discussion. It's just very sad that it now also happens at Arstechnica, this site also went to garbage quality reporting.... Sorry I say it frankly here.

LG will probably go more into depth on unit sales of specific products in tonight's earnings call. I can gladly update you if you'd like, or at least link you to where the numbers are posted.

"In its mobile division, LG reported 23 percent growth in smartphone shipments, which it attributed to launch of the Nexus 4 and Optimus G smartphones."

Stop to stupidly report this sort of PR crap. 23% from what? And why speak about shipments and not real sales? Right there, all this LG PR crap is just pointless and meaningless. Either LG gives us real numbers for sales, either LG should just shut up.

Tired of those companies throwing at us some percentage increase or increase factors without really giving the damn real sales numbers. Amazon does that, Google does that, Microsoft does that, Samsung does that. And then it gets just reported as it is by tech medias without any sort of critical discussion. It's just very sad that it now also happens at Arstechnica, this site also went to garbage quality reporting.... Sorry I say it frankly here.

LG will probably go more into depth on unit sales of specific products in tonight's earnings call. I can gladly update you if you'd like, or at least link you to where the numbers are posted.

Cool that you answered his non-sense. I believe that a simple link for more info would enough, at the very least, for us more sane people.

Stop to stupidly report this sort of PR crap. 23% from what? And why speak about shipments and not real sales? Right there, all this LG PR crap is just pointless and meaningless. Either LG gives us real numbers for sales, either LG should just shut up.

Sorry, but what's wrong with you? 23% growth should be simple enough to understand. As for shipped product, well, that's really all that LG cares about. Once they leave the warehouse, they could end up on the dark side of the moon for all they care. Retailers buy and then re-sell them. Once LG ships them, they are done with them. Since this is an article about LGs profits, not the market share of it's products, that's all you need to know.

Now who's stupid?

Think of how many Xboxes Microsoft shipped when they were all getting the red ring of death. For them some of the additional shipments were a liability which hit their bottom line. This can only be expected for any manufacturer... some of your units are going to be defective and returned. Also, some of your units might not get sold and may be returned to you.

Finally, what a horrible revenue to profit ratio but at least it's positive.

"In its mobile division, LG reported 23 percent growth in smartphone shipments, which it attributed to launch of the Nexus 4 and Optimus G smartphones."

Stop to stupidly report this sort of PR crap. 23% from what? And why speak about shipments and not real sales? Right there, all this LG PR crap is just pointless and meaningless. Either LG gives us real numbers for sales, either LG should just shut up.

Tired of those companies throwing at us some percentage increase or increase factors without really giving the damn real sales numbers. Amazon does that, Google does that, Microsoft does that, Samsung does that. And then it gets just reported as it is by tech medias without any sort of critical discussion. It's just very sad that it now also happens at Arstechnica, this site also went to garbage quality reporting.... Sorry I say it frankly here.

LG will probably go more into depth on unit sales of specific products in tonight's earnings call. I can gladly update you if you'd like, or at least link you to where the numbers are posted.

Or he could..you know...look it up for himself if it's that important to him. The thing with Google search is, it works for everyone.

"In its mobile division, LG reported 23 percent growth in smartphone shipments, which it attributed to launch of the Nexus 4 and Optimus G smartphones."

Stop to stupidly report this sort of PR crap. 23% from what? And why speak about shipments and not real sales? Right there, all this LG PR crap is just pointless and meaningless. Either LG gives us real numbers for sales, either LG should just shut up.

Tired of those companies throwing at us some percentage increase or increase factors without really giving the damn real sales numbers. Amazon does that, Google does that, Microsoft does that, Samsung does that. And then it gets just reported as it is by tech medias without any sort of critical discussion. It's just very sad that it now also happens at Arstechnica, this site also went to garbage quality reporting.... Sorry I say it frankly here.

Yeah, everyone does it. Maybe cause that's how the whole world works. Hmmm...

This means that there are now 4 smartphone makers that actually made a profit:

AppleSamsungHTC LG

That's it.

I think you may be confusing profit and revenue. LG posted a net loss this quarter of more than $400M.

For the year 2012, LG as a company posted an annual net profit of $81M. LG's Home Entertainment division (TV's etc) posted a $481M net profit. So, the rest of LG, including phones, lost $400M for the year.

No indication that LG's making any significant money on smartphones, and in all likelihood is losing money. HTC is very borderlines as well. Profits in the smartphone business continue to be utterly dominated by Apple and Samsung.

In case anyone's curious, Nexus 4 stock reappeared yesterday in the Play store. Get 'em while they're hot!

I was wanting one, but they didn't seem available for love or money for nearly two months, and I'd gone and bought a Note 2 instead. I do get the opinion that Google and LG were forsaking Play Store orders until they got carrier commitments in place and that Google, especially, didn't want to do direct sales at all.

That's pretty good news. I think they make solid products. At least from my experience with them. I've only got a TV and a phone of theirs, but I'm impressed every time I see an appliance with the LG logo on it. Granted they are way out of my price range, but they look pretty fancy. I do see more and more smart appliances out there. I don't know how useful something like that could really be. Who needs to monitor their laundry or the refrigerator temperature while running errands or sitting in the other room with the TV blasting away. Anyway, seems like a nice idea to build upon. I've seen a lot of their appliances here: http://10rate.com. Maybe one day when the dust settles I'll be able to link up to a webcam inside my fridge while I'm at the store to see what I need. That seems like a pretty good idea to me. But hey, we've gotten alog well without all this gadgetry.

Florence Ion / Florence was a former Reviews Editor at Ars, with a focus on Android, gadgets, and essential gear. She received a degree in journalism from San Francisco State University and lives in the Bay Area.